What does it take to add headrests to 68 bucket seats that didn't come with them from the factory?

First of all you must have all the right parts, i.e., the headrests themselves, the mounting hardware, and the trim hardware.
Remove the plastic seatback trim panels and the seat cover(s) from the seatbacks. Locate the factory punched holes in the top of the seatback, and punch holes in the seatback foam to allow mounting of the nylon headrest guide tubes. These screw into the seatback frame. Reinstall seat cover. Cut an "X" over the holes into the guide tubes. Install trim hardware. Install headrests.
Headrests from 69 to 72 Buckets will fit and function properly, and to all but the most discerning, will look factory. The real trick is finding 68 model headrests and the accompanying hardware. Particularly the trim hardware. Headrests were of course, an option in 68. But it was an option not ordered in great quantity. Therefore the 68 bucket headrests with hardware can be difficult to find and a bit pricey.
All in all, not a difficult project. Enhances the "Cool Factor" too.
Good luck...
Patrick

By the way... The Factory Assembly Manual or the Fisher Body Manual has some good info and pictures regarding the Strato Bucket Headrests. Just don't remember right now which publication it was. Might be a good idea to get your hands on one of each. Readily available on ebay.

The real trick is finding 68 model headrests and the accompanying hardware. Particularly the trim hardware.

I have never seen any of the hardware that goes in/on the seat back as aftermarket parts, but I believe you can get the headrest itself. Have you looked it up on web sites like Ground Up, Year One etc?

I'm just guessing here, but GM's policy back then was to use standard parts wherever possible. It makes me think that you could possibly find interchangeable parts in another seat from a later model, maybe off another GM brand or even off a lowly (=cheap) bench seat. I wouldn't pay a premium price for rare -68 Chevelle headrests and hardware without looking at that option. I'm cheap, and I always keep in mind that an ashtray for a 2-door big block car is much more expensive than for a 4-door car with a sixbanger. ;)

If the hardware in the seat back is the same, you could use that and put whatever headrest you can find on it until you find the correct -68 headrest. Don't know if this will work, but it's worth looking into.

well as stated headrest were an option in 68 that goes for all a bodies finding 68 bucket headrests are slim and the hardware even slimmer. as stated above just go for the 69-72 headrests only people in the know will know. that is what i'm doing 68 buckets with headrests are the coolest. jmo

I am curious if anyone sells a complete kit with everything you would need for the install?? does anyone know. Iv seen headrests themselfs for the 68 but I dont think thats everything. has any one actually done this?

It makes me think that you could possibly find interchangeable parts in another seat from a later model, maybe off another GM brand or even off a lowly (=cheap) bench seat.


Bench seat headrests are different than bucket seat headrests as they have only the single rectangular support. I wouldn't think they would be very interchangable with bucket seat parts. I've never removed a bench seat cover but I would imagine the seat frame is set up differently. As already stated the only items that are reproduced are the headrests themselves and trim covers. All other items would need to be acquired from a set of donor seats. On occasion I've seen those items on Ebay but they are usually overpriced.